Chinese investors file petition against police harassment in SHC

Investors warned they would return to Lahore or leave Pakistan if authorities do not intervene.

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Chinese investors have approached the Sindh High Court, seeking legal intervention over alleged harassment and extortion by local police, Express News reported.

The petitioners appeared before the court, claiming that they were subjected to harassment and extortion by police officials in Sindh. They warned that, unless the authorities intervened, they would either return to Lahore or leave the country altogether.

The petitioner's lawyer, Advocate Rahman Mehsud, argued that the Chinese investors had come to Pakistan at the invitation of high-ranking officials, including the prime minister and army chief, to make investments. However, they have faced numerous challenges since their arrival.

Mehsud stated that from the airport to their residences, the investors were asked for bribes, and they had to endure long waits for armored vehicles at the airport. In exchange for bribes, police officers reportedly transported them to their residences.

Moreover, the petitioners claimed that their residences were often locked up with security personnel stationed outside, restricting their freedom of movement.

They also alleged that they were unable to attend business meetings and, at times, police officers would break their vehicle windows during attacks. For a bribe ranging from Rs30,000 to Rs50,000, the police provided limited movement opportunities.

The petition also mentioned an incident in which three Chinese female investors were forced to return to China after facing disrespect at an Expo centre.

In addition, seven Chinese-owned factories in the Sakhi Thana jurisdiction were shut down by local authorities. The petitioners requested the court to direct the authorities to protect the rights of Chinese citizens in accordance with international laws.

In response, the court issued notices to all parties involved, including the Ministry of Interior, Chief Secretary of Sindh, Inspector General of Police, Home Secretary, the head of the Special Unit for CPEC security, and the Chinese Embassy. The court has sought responses from the parties within four weeks.